Jaguars' Yannick Ngakoue leads dangerous pass rush

Sunday

FOXBORO — While everyone is focused on the trashing-talking of cornerback Jalen Ramsey, there’s another group of Jacksonville Jaguars whose bite is worse than their bark.

Last year, the Jaguars finished second in the NFL with 55 sacks — one behind Pittsburgh for the league lead. Last year's group had four dangerous pass-rushers — Calais Campbell (14.5 sacks), Yannick Ngakoue (12 sacks), Malik Jackson (eight sacks) and Dante Fowler Jr. (eight sacks).

The defense returns the same dangerous pass-rushers this weekend and one – Ngakoue – looks like one of the most promising defensive ends in the NFL. In two seasons, the 23-year-old has 20 total sacks. In the much-anticipated matchup this weekend, the Patriots know they’ll need to keep an eye on this dangerous edge rusher.

“I guess you’d have to be blind to not see him on film. He’s a dynamic player,” center David Andrews said. “He’s got a lot of variety of rush moves he can do with a very good skill set. He’s definitely a tough player and that’s why he was so good last year with what he did."

Last year, the Patriots pass protection was up-and-down in the AFC Championship Game against the Jaguars, as Tom Brady was sacked three times and hit seven times overall. In his lone quarterback hit, Ngakoue showed why he’s one of the best defensive ends in the league.

At 13:28 of the second quarter, the Patriots offense was saddled with a third-and-11. Ngakoue was lined up at the right defensive end spot opposite left tackle Nate Solder. In this instance, the Pats pass protection wasn’t bad. Brady had over 3.5 seconds to throw the ball. The problem with this Jags defense, however, is that their secondary is talented enough to cover long enough to allow their pass-rushers to get to the quarterback.

Solder did a solid job of blocking Ngakoue, but the end was quick enough to bounce off the initial block and circle back past left guard Joe Thuney and Andrews. He hit Brady as he released the ball and pass fell incomplete. The Pats ended up punting.

“He's a really good speed rusher that has more than speed, but he wins with speed and he makes you defend the speed and then he sets up other things off of that,” Bill Belichick said. “That’s definitely his go-to move, his get-off and his edge rush and his speed. But when you overplay that, he’s quick enough to come underneath. He can turn speed into power and he can counter, so he's certainly got enough to be a problem in a lot of ways.”

Ngakoue has turned into one of the better picks from the 2016 NFL Draft. He was selected in the third round, 69th overall — nine picks after the Patriots drafted Cyrus Jones. His speed, combined with the talented players around him, make for a tough matchup for any offensive line.

Last weekend, the Patriots offensive line stepped up to the challenge of the Houston Texans and allowed just two sacks and five quarterback hits. This weekend, it’ll be interesting to see who draws Ngakoue more — the left tackle or right tackle. Trent Brown will certainly be there at left tackle, but right tackle is a bit of a mystery. Marcus Cannon has been limited with a calf injury. If he can’t play, it’ll be up to LaAdrian Waddle.

Both Waddle and Brown know it won’t be easy to stop Ngakoue and his fellow defensive linemen.

“He’s an explosive player. Good rusher. Good combo of speed and power,” Waddle said. “Definitely fast off the edge. He’s a talented rusher. Young and up-and-coming guy who can get to the quarterback and cause some problems if we’re not on top of our game.”

“He’s got a lot of energy. Another good pass-rusher, as you would expect. It’s the NFL,” Brown said. “[We need to] handle our business, use the technique [Dante Scarnecchia] Scar teaches us every day and hope for the best.”

YANNICK NGAKOUE

DEFENSIVE END

HT: 6-2 WT: 246

YR: 3 AGE: 23

CAREER VS. PATRIOTS: In one playoff game, Ngakoue has one quarterback hit against the Patriots.

THE SKINNY: The Jaguars make headlines due to their secondary, but their pass rush has been one of the best in the NFL. It’s a typical Tom Coughlin team in which the defense has four pass rushers who can make Tom Brady’s life miserable. Ngakoue is on his way to being one of the best in the NFL, and if the Jags are going to stop Brady, it starts up front.

TRENT BROWN

TACKLE

HT: 6-8 WT: 380

YR: 4 AGE: 25

CAREER VS. JAGUARS: This will be Brown’s first game against Jacksonville.

THE SKINNY: The Patriots have a big challenge ahead of them on Sunday. They’re on the road against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Brown and his fellow offensive linemen need to be on their game. The Jags secondary covers better than most. That usually allows the defensive line enough time to get in the pocket. The Pats will win if they can keep Brady clean.

FOXBORO — While everyone is focused on the trashing-talking of cornerback Jalen Ramsey, there’s another group of Jacksonville Jaguars whose bite is worse than their bark.Last year, the Jaguars finished second in the NFL with 55 sacks — one behind Pittsburgh for the league lead. Last year's group had four dangerous pass-rushers — Calais Campbell (14.5 sacks), Yannick Ngakoue (12 sacks), Malik Jackson (eight sacks) and Dante Fowler Jr. (eight sacks).The defense returns the same dangerous pass-rushers this weekend and one – Ngakoue – looks like one of the most promising defensive ends in the NFL. In two seasons, the 23-year-old has 20 total sacks. In the much-anticipated matchup this weekend, the Patriots know they’ll need to keep an eye on this dangerous edge rusher.“I guess you’d have to be blind to not see him on film. He’s a dynamic player,” center David Andrews said. “He’s got a lot of variety of rush moves he can do with a very good skill set. He’s definitely a tough player and that’s why he was so good last year with what he did."Last year, the Patriots pass protection was up-and-down in the AFC Championship Game against the Jaguars, as Tom Brady was sacked three times and hit seven times overall. In his lone quarterback hit, Ngakoue showed why he’s one of the best defensive ends in the league.At 13:28 of the second quarter, the Patriots offense was saddled with a third-and-11. Ngakoue was lined up at the right defensive end spot opposite left tackle Nate Solder. In this instance, the Pats pass protection wasn’t bad. Brady had over 3.5 seconds to throw the ball. The problem with this Jags defense, however, is that their secondary is talented enough to cover long enough to allow their pass-rushers to get to the quarterback.Solder did a solid job of blocking Ngakoue, but the end was quick enough to bounce off the initial block and circle back past left guard Joe Thuney and Andrews. He hit Brady as he released the ball and pass fell incomplete. The Pats ended up punting.“He's a really good speed rusher that has more than speed, but he wins with speed and he makes you defend the speed and then he sets up other things off of that,” Bill Belichick said. “That’s definitely his go-to move, his get-off and his edge rush and his speed. But when you overplay that, he’s quick enough to come underneath. He can turn speed into power and he can counter, so he's certainly got enough to be a problem in a lot of ways.”Ngakoue has turned into one of the better picks from the 2016 NFL Draft. He was selected in the third round, 69th overall — nine picks after the Patriots drafted Cyrus Jones. His speed, combined with the talented players around him, make for a tough matchup for any offensive line.Last weekend, the Patriots offensive line stepped up to the challenge of the Houston Texans and allowed just two sacks and five quarterback hits. This weekend, it’ll be interesting to see who draws Ngakoue more — the left tackle or right tackle. Trent Brown will certainly be there at left tackle, but right tackle is a bit of a mystery. Marcus Cannon has been limited with a calf injury. If he can’t play, it’ll be up to LaAdrian Waddle.Both Waddle and Brown know it won’t be easy to stop Ngakoue and his fellow defensive linemen.“He’s an explosive player. Good rusher. Good combo of speed and power,” Waddle said. “Definitely fast off the edge. He’s a talented rusher. Young and up-and-coming guy who can get to the quarterback and cause some problems if we’re not on top of our game.”“He’s got a lot of energy. Another good pass-rusher, as you would expect. It’s the NFL,” Brown said. “[We need to] handle our business, use the technique [Dante Scarnecchia] Scar teaches us every day and hope for the best.”

YANNICK NGAKOUEDEFENSIVE ENDHT: 6-2 WT: 246YR: 3 AGE: 23CAREER VS. PATRIOTS: In one playoff game, Ngakoue has one quarterback hit against the Patriots.THE SKINNY: The Jaguars make headlines due to their secondary, but their pass rush has been one of the best in the NFL. It’s a typical Tom Coughlin team in which the defense has four pass rushers who can make Tom Brady’s life miserable. Ngakoue is on his way to being one of the best in the NFL, and if the Jags are going to stop Brady, it starts up front.

TRENT BROWNTACKLEHT: 6-8 WT: 380YR: 4 AGE: 25CAREER VS. JAGUARS: This will be Brown’s first game against Jacksonville.THE SKINNY: The Patriots have a big challenge ahead of them on Sunday. They’re on the road against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Brown and his fellow offensive linemen need to be on their game. The Jags secondary covers better than most. That usually allows the defensive line enough time to get in the pocket. The Pats will win if they can keep Brady clean.

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